Screen for vehicles



(No Model.)

J. M. FLEMING. SCREEN FOR VEHICLES.

No. 560,203. Patented May 19, 1896.

jli'ornel Off PHOTO-LITHQWASHXNGTDNDC UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB M. FLEMING, OF RIPLEY, TEXAS.

SCREEN FOR VEHICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 560,203, dated May 19,1896.

Application filed January 29, 1896. Serial No. 577,279. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB M. FLEMING, a citizen of the United States,residing at Ripley, in the county of Titus and State of Texas, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Screens, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawings.

This invention relates to an improvement in screens adapted to hide thehind parts of horses from the sight of occupants of vehicles, and it isembodied in the construction and arrangement of parts, as more fullyhereinafter described, and set forth in the claims.

The aim and purpose of the invention is to produce a screen to obscure ahorses rear quarters from view.

Another and important object of the invention is to form the device oflight material yet retaining the requisite strength for durability, atthe same time permitting of numerous adjustments, and one which can becheaply manufactured.

The device also serves to hold the reins beyond the range of the horsestail.

The objects above stated are attained by the construction shown in theaccompanying drawings,wherein like characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in the several views, and in which Figure l is aside elevation of the device as applied to the thills of a vehicle. Fig.2 is a vertical central sectional view. Fig. 3is a front elevation ofthe device, and Fig. at is a view showing the cross-rods in detail.

In the drawings, wherein I have illustrated my invention, the letter Adesignates the thills of a buggy or other vehicle. Extending upward fromthe shafts or thills A are the standards 13 B, removably attached to thethills by the clamps O C and connected at or near their upper ends bythe cross brace-rods 7). These brace-rods serve to prevent the standardsfrom spreading apart or approaching each other.

By forming the uprights or standards l3 B of light metal rods, as Ipreferably do, and circular in cross-section a very neat and attractivesupport for the screen is produced without in any manner impairing therequisite strength. At the base of the standards are the flat offsetfeet I) b, with which the clamps O O engage.

D designates a cross-rod of substantially the same diameter as theuprights. This rod is provided at its ends with the eyes (Z and isslidingly connected to the uprights B. By this means the rod may bevertically adjusted and held in such position by the set-screws d.

In proximity to the upper ends of the standards B is a rod D, secured insubstantially the same manner as the rod D. This rod D is, however, of aslightly-modified form, being bent substantially upward and outward ateach end, forming the retaining portions (Z for purposes presently to bedisclosed.

At the upper ends of the standards B is adj ustably connected theretothe cross-rod D of the same construction as the rod D.

The screen E consists of suitable flexible material, such as leather orfabric. It is suit-ably secured at one end, preferably by stitching, tothe rod D, carried up and over the rod D and secured to the forward rodD at its opposite end, the raised portions d d holding the screen inproper position and preventing all lateral movement thereof.

It is clearly obvious that the device when properly adjusted and placedon the thills in advance of the singletree obscures the rear of thehorse from view.

I am aware that dashboards have heretofore been constructed to extendforward and over the horse, but such constructions are expensive. Thereare other disadvantages, one of which is that in traveling over unevenground or roads the dashboard Very frequently comes into contact withthe animal, often resulting in serious accidents and damage by runaways.By my construction all such disadvantages are overcome, as by placingthe screen on the shafts the same is kept in substantially uniformrelation. to the horses body. 7

Another advantage is that it is only necessary to remove the clamps whenit is desired to transfer the screen to another set of thills, theoperation requiring but a few moments.

A device constructed as shown and herein described is clearlysusceptible of numerous adjustments to enable the same to be used inconnection with horses of varying heights.

IOC

Also by the use of the removable securingclamps the screen may beadjusted longitudinally of the shafts.

While I have shown my construction in detail in the drawings, I do notintend thereby to limit my invention to the precise form, as it isevident that many minor changes can be made and substituted without inthe least departing from the nature and principle of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a screen for vehicles, the combination with the thills, of uprightstandards secured thereon, and a screen having an upright andoverhanging section supported by the standards, substantially as setforth.

2. In a screen for vehicles, the combination with the thills, of ascreen comprising an upright and overhangingsection, and standardsadjustably attached to the thills, substantially as described.

In a screen for vehicles, the combination with the thills, of avertically-ad j ustable screen mounted thereon, substantially as and forthe purposes set forth.

4. In a screen for vehicles, the combination with the thills ofstandards adj ustably attached thereto, brace-rods connecting the upperends of the standards, cross-rods secured to the standards, and a screensupported by the cross-rods, substantially as described.

5. In a screen, the combination of a vertically-adjustable frame, aflexible screen carried thereby, and means for adjustably securing theframe to the vehicle, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JACOB M. FLEMING. IVitnesses:

.T. N. ALnnrDeE, 1R. harsson.

